WATCH: England's six of the worst in record collapse

SEAMERS Kagiso Rabada and Wayne Parnell wreaked early havoc to set the platform for an easy South African victory in the third and final one-day cricket international against England at Lord's on Monday.

South Africa won by seven wickets but lost the series after defeat in the first two games, as both countries prepared for the start of the Champions Trophy, later this week.

Rabada and Parnell decimated the English top order in the opening five overs and rendered the contest effectively over with England teetering at 6-20.

It was the first time six wickets had been taken inside the opening five overs of an ODI.

It was also the fewest runs England has scored in an ODI for the loss of its first six wickets, breaking a 42-year-old national record.

Mike Denness' side lost its first six batsmen for 25 runs against Pakistan in 1974 and was eventually bowled out for 81.

England, who rested Ben Stokes and made four other changes after Saturday's narrow victory in Southampton, were eventually dismissed for 153 after 31 overs, to which the South Africans replied with 3-156.

England cricketers skittled :
Proteas take six wickets in five overs

Hashim Amla scored 55 before being bowled by debutant Toby Roland-Jones and Quinton de Kock (34) fell in the next over to Jake Ball.

But JP Duminy (28 not out) and AB de Villiers (27 not out) saw their side through to victory with 20.1 overs to spare.

"We had a lot to play for today, and there are some encouraging signs," De Villiers said.

"The boys hung onto almost everything that came their way. The intensity was very good."

"We seemed to nick everything," England captain Eoin Moran said.

"If you look at our dismissals, South Africa didn't let us get away. Sometimes you have to sit in. It was a nice reminder.

"Today wasn't our day."

Rabada had out-of-form Jason Roy caught in the slips by Amla in the opening over and Joe Root, Morgan and Jos Buttler followed in quick succession to catches.